… On Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its monthly report, which projects a two-year hydrology outlook for the operation of the nation’s two largest reservoirs: Lake Powell and Lake Mead. … With the slow start to winter in the Upper Basin (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming), the report showed a drop in Lake Powell’s projected 2026 inflow of 1 million acre-feet since the November forecast. Under the “minimum” possible inflow, Lake Powell would fall below the surface-elevation level of 3,490 feet needed to generate hydropower by October 2026 and stay there until spring runoff briefly bumps up reservoir levels in summer 2027; but the water level would again dip below 3,490 in the fall of 2027. 

Other Colorado River forecast news:

• Courthouse News Service: Experts warn of dire forecast for Colorado River basin
• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Opinion: A finite river cannot support infinite growth
• The Land Desk: Blog: ”Dancing with Deadpool” on the Colorado River